No holiday celebration or Christmas market is complete without a batch of mulled wine. Mulled wine, also called Glühwein in Germany or vin chaud in France, is a hot wine-based drink that conjures images of a cold winter night and holiday celebrations.
This easy winter drink recipe, made by warming red wine with various spices like cinnamon and cloves, along with a touch of sweetness from honey or sugar, is one of the original mulled wine recipes ever posted online. It was originally posted back in 2015!
I alternate this spiced wine recipe with Coquito, aka Puerto Rican Egg Nog, during the holiday season. Let the kids have the hot chocolate.
Mulled Wine Recipe
Mulled wine recipes all vary, but the general ingredients remain the same. Here are the ingredients you need to make a batch of the best mulled wine recipe:
- Red Wine – grab a bottle of wine you enjoy drinking. (Here’s a list of 10 Good Cheap Wines under $20)
- Brandy – this is not the time to bust out your high end brand as you’ll only need 1 cup of brandy.
- Whole Spices – must have spices are cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise.
- Fresh Oranges – you’ll use the juice and the rind.
- Honey or Maple Syrup – I prefer honey, but maple syrup works just as well.
Mulling Spices
Mulling spices are what sets mulled wine apart from “warm red wine”. Mulled Wine can be made with a variety of spices and fruits. It’s like the “winter version” of red sangria. Who doesn’t like Christmas sangria? A traditional recipe includes a mix of the below warm spices:
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Orange Slices
- Whole Cloves
- Star Anise Pods
- Cardamom Pods
Tip – use these spices to make a Christmas Simmering Pot or even a Hot Toddy.
Garnish Ideas
The best mulled wine recipes are garnished with some fun and festive ingredients. My favorites are ingredients that are used in the recipe itself.
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Orange Peel
- Apple Slices
- Raisins
- Fresh Cranberries
- Star Anise Pods
- Whole Cloves
- Candy Cane
How To Make In The Slow Cooker
This simple mulled wine recipe is very easy to make in the slow cooker. When stovetop space is at a premium, being able to make slow cooker mulled wine is key. To make, throw all the ingredients into the slower cooker and set it on the lowest setting as you do not want the mix to boil. Let mellow for two hours before serving.
How To Make On The Stove
To make German mulled wine on the stove top:
- Add the wine, brandy, honey, orange juice, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise to a large pot and heat over medium heat. Do not let boil! Boiling it will burn off the booze.
- Once almost simmering, reduce the heat to low for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- Strain into mugs and garnish. Serve warm.
Best Red Wine To Use
The best wine to use is a dry red wine you enjoy drinking. Since this recipe calls for a full bottle of dry red wine you don’t want to go bottom shelf here. The spices won’t mask the taste of swill. My favorite varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. If you have a Costco membership I actually use the large bottle of Kirkland brand Cabernet Sauvignon.
Any leftover wine can be used to make a sauce for German Schnitzel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Ground Spices
You can, but it’s not ideal as it won’t be as smooth to drink.
Can I Make A Booze-Free Version?
Absolutely! For a booze-free version, check out this Non Alcoholic Mulled Wine or Kinderpunsch recipe.
How To Store Mulled Wine
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat just transfer to a sauce pan and heat over medium-low heat until warm.
glühwein
What’s the difference between Glühwein and mulled wine? While Glühwein and mulled wine are similar, there are some differences.
Mulled Wine – Recipes for mulled wine can vary widely depending on the region and personal preference. Common ingredients include red wine, various mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and sometimes citrus fruits. Sweeteners like sugar or honey are often added.
Glühwein – The recipe for Glühwein is typically more standardized and includes red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus, sugar, and sometimes vanilla pods. The spice mix is quite specific and consistent in Glühwein.
Let the season roll off your tongue this holiday. From the first sip to the last, this warm drink will be the hit of your Christmas time holiday parties. Throwing a holiday party this year? Make sure to check out our huge list of Christmas Party Themes.
More German Recipes
Skol!
This recipe was originally posted in December 2015, but has been updated with new photos and additional text.
Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Dry Red Wine, 750 ML
- ⅓ cup Brandy
- ¼ cup Honey
- 1 Orange, Juice and Sliced
- 8 Whole Cloves
- 2 Sticks Cinnamon
- 1 Pod Star Anise
Instructions
STOVE TOP
- Combine the wine, brandy, honey, orange juice, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to low for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- Strain into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks, orange peels or the like!
SLOW COOKER
- Combine the wine, brandy, honey, orange juice, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise in a slow cooker over high heat. Let simmer for at least 1 hour.
- Strain into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks, orange peels or the like!